FLEXIONS OF THE JAW. 247 



enable the trainer to contend with, advantage against every 

 resistance of the horse. 



In order to execute the flexions to the right, the trainer, 

 being on the near side of the horse (see fig. 14), will take the 

 right curb rein in his right hand, at a distance of about six 

 inches from the branch of the bit, and the left rein in the left 

 hand, at a distance of about four inches from the branch. 

 He will then draw the right rein toward him, and at the 

 same time , stretch out the left hand, turning the bit in such 

 a way as to force the horse's mouth open. The force em- 

 ployed ought to be proportioned to the resistance of the 

 neck and the jaw, in order not to render unsteady the po- 

 sition of the trainer. If the horse incline to back, to avoid 

 the flexion, he should be prevented from doing so by hold- 

 ing the hands firmly forward. If the previous exercise 

 has been practiced completely and with care, it will be 

 easy, with the aid of the Avhip, to arrest this retrograde 

 movement, which is a powerful obstacle to all flexions of 

 the jaw and neck. 



As soon as the horse yields to the pressure, and allows 

 his head to be drawn around to the right shoulder, draw 

 gently and evenly on the two reins until the line of the 

 face is perpendicular to the ground, and until the animal 

 will sustain his head in this position without bearing on 

 the bit. The champing of the bit by the horse is an evi- 

 dence that he is completely in hand, and entirely under 

 subjection. Figure 14, shows the position at the commence- 

 ment of this exercise, and fig. 15, that at the termination. 

 He should now be recompensed by a slackening of the 

 reins, and by being allowed, after a few seconds, to regain 

 his natural position. The flexion of the jaw to the left is 

 executed on the same principles, and by opposite means, 

 and the flexions should be alternated from the right to the 

 left. 



